Fentanyl Addiction: Symptoms, Signs, & Side Effects

Symptoms of Fentanyl Abuse

Fentanyl is one of the most potent opioids in the world. Though it is prescribed to suppress pain, fentanyl is often abused or overused due to its strong addictive properties. An individual who has been abusing or become addicted to fentanyl may demonstrate certain symptoms.

The behavioral symptoms include:

• Exhaustion
• Withdrawing self from activities they used to love
• Withdrawing self from interacting with family and friends
• Lying or being deceptive
• Engaging in risky, reckless or dangerous behaviors

Physical symptoms include:

• Slow or difficulty breathing
• Decreased heart rate
• Drowsiness
• Nausea, constipation and other gastrointestinal distress

Other symptoms include:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Mood swings
• Euphoria or dysphoria

Side Effects of Fentanyl Abuse

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has warned that a fentanyl epidemic could develop because of the substance’s immense potency and addictive potential. People who are ingesting fentanyl at non-prescribed levels experience intense euphoria, similar to a heroin high.

Whether taken recreationally, fentanyl is an unstable and potentially fatal drug. Fentanyl may affect each user differently based on:

• Size, weight and health
• Whether the person is used to taking it
• Whether other drugs are taken as well
• Amount taken

Depending on the variables mentioned, the user may experience some or all of the following side effects:

• Pain relief
• Reduced appetite and nausea or vomiting
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Drowsiness, confusion and fatigue
• Dizziness
• Euphoria
• Headache
• Incoherent or slurred speech and impaired balance
• Slow pulse and lowered blood pressure
• Overdose

If the dose taken is higher than prescribed, an overdose might occur. Any of these symptoms may be a sign of overuse and it is important to seek medical help immediately.

Physical Effects of Fentanyl

Comparable to other opioids, fentanyl works by binding to the areas of the brain that control pain. The drug is prescribed to patients who need relief from extreme pain, often from severe cancer treatments or immense physical trauma. The drug has physical side effects that include:

• Allergic reactions
• Anxiety
• Restlessness
• Fast heartbeat
• Fever and sweating
• Muscle spasms and twitching
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Blue lips, fingernails or skin

While fentanyl’s pain relieving effects are attractive, overdose from fentanyl use is common. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported over 20,000 deaths in 2016 related to fentanyl and its analogs. States like Florida have started treating the dealing of fentanyl as attempted homicide. A lethal dose of Fentanyl is as small is 3 milligrams. This amount is only one-tenth of a lethal heroin dose.

Side Effects of Long-Term Fentanyl Abuse

Some long-term psychosocial effects of fentanyl abuse may be showing signs of poor judgment in both work and personal situations.

Long-term use of fentanyl may cause:

• Mood instability
• Reduced libido
• Habitual Constipation
• Menstruation problems
• Respiratory impairment

Additionally, with sustained fentanyl abuse, a person can increase their risk of injury and organ damage due to significantly decreased oxygen in the body tissues. The risk of overdose increases significantly with long-term fentanyl use. Like with any addiction or drug abuse, harm to personal life and relationships is likely to occur.

Long Term Side Effects of Fentanyl Abuse on the Body

One of the long-term consequences of abusing fentanyl is the potential to develop a co-occurring mental health disorder. Individuals with opioid use disorders have high likelihood of co-occurring psychological disorders, including anxiety, depression or other trauma-related disorders. Some people may first develop an opioid use disorder and then experience other psychological symptoms that qualify them for a psychiatric diagnosis, whereas others may have pre-existing psychiatric problems that increase the risk of abusing certain drugs.

According to American Psychiatric Association, individuals with chronic opioid use disorders usually have:

• Low levels of achievement
• Low levels of self-described life satisfaction
• High rates of unemployment, divorce and attempted suicides
• Significantly more medical issues than individuals without substance use disorders
• Higher rates of criminal convictions

Signs of Fentanyl Overdose

Overdose risk is very high when fentanyl is taken in larger or more frequent doses than the prescribing physician suggested. Fentanyl alone carries a high risk of overdose, but it is often abused with heroin or cocaine. These combinations intensify the high, yet also increase the risk of overdose. A person using any one of these drugs often does not realize that other drugs have been mixed in. Signs of fentanyl overdose include:

• Very slow, shallow breathing
• Difficulty getting a breath
• Difficulty swallowing
• Extreme drowsiness or loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Dizziness

An overdose of fentanyl or a combination of drugs that includes fentanyl can quickly become fatal and should always be treated as a medical emergency.

Fentanyl Overdose Symptoms

When a person experiences a fentanyl related overdose, they may not remain conscious. Opioids like fentanyl cause sleepiness and confusion. The person is likely to fall asleep and not be fazed by common waking methods. However, lack of consciousness is not the only indication of a fentanyl overdose. Other symptoms include:

• Small, unresponsive pupils
• Slow, shallow, or lack of breathing
• Changes in heart rate
• Drowsiness, dizziness, or loss of coordination
• Extreme confusion
• Bluish tint around the lips or fingernails
• Cold or clammy skin

All opioids reduce breathing rate. When a person overdoses on fentanyl, their breathing can become weakened to the point that their brain fails to get enough oxygen. When this occurs, body systems will shut down. Blood pressure and heart rate changes may also lead to a heart attack.

Fentanyl abuse and addiction can be deadly. Recovery from an opioid addiction is possible. If you find yourself or a loved one stuck in a dangerous cycle of opioid use and need professional services, the experienced and compassionate staff at Orlando Recovery Center can help you detox safely and comfortably. Call Orlando Recovery Center to begin your new life in recovery.